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How to Get Hot Sauce Out of Clothes
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Chris Whitehair
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- Last Updated: February 8, 2025
A Spicy Stain Survival Guide
If you’re like me, a hot sauce aficionado who puts hot sauce on everything – tacos, pizza, even salad – Murphy’s Law will eventually catch up with you.
One minute, you’re enjoying your spicy meal, and the next, you’re staring at a bright red splatter of hot sauce on your favorite shirt.
Hot sauce stains are challenging, but please don’t panic.
They are manageable and not the end of the world.
If you act fast and use the proper cleaning method, you can confidently remove that stain before it becomes a permanent reminder of your last meal.
Check out our steps below to learn how to get hot sauce out of clothes!
1. Act Fast: Every Second Counts
Your proactive action is crucial regarding hot sauce stains – tick-tock, tick-tock.
The longer you let the stain sit, the more it settles into the fabric fibers, making it exponentially harder to remove.
Here’s what to do immediately:
✅ Blot, don’t rub – Whatever you do, do not rub! Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric, making things worse. For example, if you’ve ever tried to get a pet stain out of carpet, you know what I’m talking about. Instead, grab a clean cloth or napkin and gently blot the excess sauce away.
✅ Flush the stain with cold water – If possible, turn the fabric inside out and rinse the stain from the back with cold water. This method helps push the stain out instead of further in.
2. Pre-Treating the Stain: Pick Your Best Weapon
You’ve contained the situation at this point, but the battle has just begun.
Now, it’s time to hit the stain with a powerful pre-treatment.
A. Dish Soap & Baking Soda
Dish soap is your best friend because it breaks down grease and oil.
How it works: The surfactants in dish soap emulsify (a fancy word for breaking apart) oils, while baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps lift the stain.
How to use it: Mix one tablespoon of dish soap, one tablespoon of baking soda, and one cup of warm water. Apply the mixture to the stain and gently scrub with a soft cloth or brush.
B. White Vinegar
Hot sauce contains vinegar or other acidic ingredients, which means we can fight fire with fire—by using vinegar!
How it works: White vinegar helps neutralize acid and break down pigment stains.
How to use it: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water, soak the stain for about 15 minutes, and rinse with cold water.
C. Enzyme-Based Cleaners
Bring in the enzymes if the stain is still clinging for dear life.
How it works: Enzyme-based cleaners (take OxiClean, for example, RIP Billy Mays) break down organic stains, including proteins and oils, making them easier to wash.
How to use it: Apply the enzyme cleaner to the stain, let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then wash as usual.
3. Washing the Garment: Cold Water, Not Hot
Once you’ve pre-treated the stain, it’s laundry time. Your Mama isn’t going to help you this time, so listen up – before you throw your clothes into the washer, keep these golden rules in mind:
Cold water first! Hot water is your enemy here. It can permanently set the stain by bonding it to the fibers. Heat can also ‘cook’ the stain into the fabric, making it harder to remove.
Use a grease-fighting detergent. Look for detergents designed for food stains; they’ll work better against the ingredients in the hot sauce.
Skip the dryer (for now). Check the stain before drying; if there’s any trace left, repeat the process before tumble drying. Heat will lock in the stain permanently.
4. Stain Removal for Different Types of Clothing
Not all fabrics are created equal. Jeans, shirts, and shoes all require a slightly different approach.
A. Denim (Jeans)
Denim is thick and absorbent, so hot sauce can quickly seep into the fibers.
Best method: Dish soap + baking soda.
Extra tip: If the stain has sunk in, let the baking soda + dish soap mixture sit for at least 30 minutes before washing.
B. Colored Shirts
Brightly colored fabrics are more likely to absorb pigment stains from hot sauce.
Best method: Enzyme cleaner or dish soap. Avoid bleach, as it can fade colors.
Extra tip: If you use vinegar, test it on a small area first to ensure it won’t affect the color.
C. White Shirts
White shirts are both a blessing and a curse. They show stains quickly, but don’t worry—you can use stronger cleaners to remove them.
Best method: Hydrogen peroxide is a safe alternative to bleach that won’t weaken fabric.
Extra tip: Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into a paste for a stain-lifting powerhouse.
D. Shoes (Leather, Canvas, Sneakers)
Hot sauce on your kicks? Are you some moron? Don’t worry…
Leather: Dab with mild dish soap and water. Avoid excessive moisture.
Canvas or Fabric: Treat with a vinegar-water solution, scrub gently, and air dry.
Hot Sauce Stains? Not Anymore!
As mentioned at the beginning of the article, I’ve had enough hot sauce mishaps to know what works and what doesn’t.
Hot sauce stains are a pain in the you-know-what, but they’re no match for the right strategy.
How to get hot sauce out of clothes quick recap:
1. Act fast
2. Choose the right cleaner
3. Never throw it in the dryer until the stain is gone.
Your clothes will be back to looking fresh in no time!
And next time? Aim for your mouth, not your shirt. 😆🔥
